'Divine intervention' led to G.R. murder arrest | News

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GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM)- Police have made an arrest in a deadly shooting in Grand Rapids.

Around 10 p.m. Monday, police responded to a call on Sweet Street NE, near Diamond Avenue. That's where police found 23-year-old Anthony Tompkins dead, lying on the sidewalk. He suffered one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police arrested Ali Sharif Gray, 18, while responding to a tip that the Kentwood murder suspect, Javonte Higgins was spotted.

"We had actually been drawn to the area on someone who had called in a tip regarding the Kentwood homicide suspect, but it was officers who were in the area who actually observed this individual and stopped him. It was not the same person that police were called to the area for, but through some divine intervention we were brought to that location and identified this individual very quickly," says Grand Rapids Police Chief Kevin Belk.

According to jail records, Gray is being held on a charges of open murder, carrying a concealed weapon, and an unrelated robbery charge. He is expected to appear in court Wednesday.

Anthony Thompkins' shooting death is the ninth murder in Grand Rapids since December.